Response_to_Questions_Solicitation_AG-2C31-S-14-0011.doc

XYZ Development, Town of Berne, Albany County, New York Proposal for Phase I Archeological Investigation

Response to Questions – AG-2C31-14-0011

1. The Statement of Work states that shovel tests “will be excavated to the depth of ground disturbance for all projects including project areas where alluvial soils are present” (Section IV.B.1). Do we need to consider deep testing methods for deep impacts regardless of the depth of culturally sterile subsoil? Yes. For instance, if impacts are expected to be four feet overall for the project, but shovel testing is consistently reaching sterile subsoil at 18 inches, is there still a need to excavate to four feet? Yes.

2. How will pricing be determined on a linear project? A linear project 2,000 ft long and 10 feet wide (0.46 acre) will require 40 shovel tests at a standard 50-ft interval, but a polygon-shaped project area of the same acreage would take much less testing and would cost less. Pricing is based on a per acre basis not per shovel test pit and will be calculated assuming a 50 ft min width. You must, therefore, calculate your per acre pricing taken this into consideration.

3. The RFQ requests separate unit pricing for projects in alluvial settings. An area with 2 feet of alluvium can be surveyed using shovel tests, while an area with 4 feet of alluvium may require mechanical equipment to excavate trenches (depending on the depth of impacts). What assumption should we make about the depth of alluvium? Testing should be to the depth of project disturbance. For example, if the disturbance is 4 ft deep, then the testing has to be 4 ft deep to cover the vertical extent of the project if the alluvium extends 4 ft below the surface. If the disturbance is only 2 ft deep, then testing should extend down to 2 ft even if the alluvium extends down to 4 ft.